Motor-vehicle.



W. I. TWOMBLY.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

APPLwATIoN FILED 1113.19, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented 13.11.26, 1915.

A ToR Y`* W ITN ESSES W. I. `TWOMBLY.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

APPLICATIONIILED FEBJQ, 1912. 1,126,592. Patented .13.11.26, 1915.

'l 3 SHEETS-,SHEET Z.

WITNESSES m IN VENTOR y Wmurd Irving mommy.

W. I. TWOMBLY.

MOTOR VEHICLE. APPLICATION FILED 1113.19, 1912.

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Bv Willard Irvm INVENTOR I UniTED sTATns PATENT oFFicE.

WILLARD InvI'Ne TwoMBLY, or NEWYORK, N. Y., AssIGNoR To TWOMBLY morons COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OFNEW YORK.

. MOTORfVEHICLE.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Application led February 19, 1912'. Serial No. 678,653.

hicles in which` the power plant,consistinglof a motor and a power transmission mechanism, is arranged to be readily and Quickly placed in' position in a vehicle frame and as readily removed therefrom for the purpose of making repairs'or the vsubstitution of another power plant, and it is the object of the invention to provide an improved motor vehicle in which-the motor and power trans mission mechanism are kseparately and inde- I pendently removable units so that should the motor or the power transmission mechanism break down veither may be removed and another substituted without tlie ynecessity` of keeping both idle. v

A further object of the invention relates to means to maintain'` the motor and powei transmission mechanism in rigid position in the vehicle frame with the shaftsthereof in true alinement.

Another object of the invention relates to the mounting` ofai water cooler or radiator at the front lof the vehicle frame so that it may be swung away from the front of the power plant to permit of the'placing of the. latter into and the removal thereof from the frame, couplings bein-g provided between the motor and cooler whereby vthe cooler is automatically coupled with the'motor-as it is swung into position in front of the motor,

and automatically iincoupled from the motor and the flow `of water shut od from the cooler when it is swung away from the front of the motor preparatoryito. the removal of the power plant.

ln the'l drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 vis a plan view of Athe-forward portion ofa vehicley frame* showing lmy vimproved fmanner offi'emovably mounting the power `plant therein. v .FigQQ Aisa sectional ldetail) view illustrating the manner of securingl the water :cooler in position infront of the motor. Figis a plan view of the frame of a motor vehicle chassis showing my improved manner of placing or removing the power plant therefrom. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view of an automatic coupling between the motor and water cooler. Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view illustratingthe manner of supporting' a starting crank for the motor. byA

the water cooler. Fig. 6 is a sectional side elevationy illustrating a niodified coupling between the motor and power-transmission mechanism, a friction coneclutch being provided to connect and disconnect the motor with the power-transmission mechanism when in vassembledlpositioninv the vehicle frame. Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in'section,` of the means to lock the power plant in assembled position inthe frame, showing in dotted lines said means in released position. Fig. 8 is a sectional end detail view taken on the line A A of Fig. 7, lookinginfthe direction of the arrow. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view looking at the front of the vehicle frame, illustrating thepower plant locked in position therein and the manner of mounting the water cooler; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional end detail view taken on the line l3-,-B of Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrow.

Similar characters of reference designate like parts throughout the different views of the drawings.

f In the embodiment of my invention illus'- ratentea Jan. 2e, 1915.v

ti'ated in the drawings, the main frame, comf prising `the side members 11, l2 of channel section .connected by cross-bars 13, the crossbar-at the forward end of the frame being bowed to permit of the passage ofthe power plant, is supported by suitable springs upon a pair of wheelfaXles 14, 15, the rear axle l5 constituting the driving axle driven through a Cardan shaft 16, and the forward axle y14CJ having steering mechanism connected thereto. f.

A powerplant comprising an independent and Vseparately 'removable variable speed power transmitting mechanism unit, (designated in a general way by R) and a motor unit, (designated in a generalway by MQ are provided with circumferentially grooved rollers 17 rotatably mounted on studs projecting laterally from the motor frame and Atransmission mechanismvcasing wherebyy the power plant is supported upon the perpendicular edges of a pair o f bars of transmission mechanism, one member of which clutch is fixed to the Cardan shaft 16 and theother to the drive shaft of the transmission mechanism. A similar clutch 20 is provided between the power transmission mechanism and the motor, one of the clutch members fixed to the driven shaft of the power transmission mechanism and the other member to the power shaft of the motor. It will be obvious as the power plant is placed into position in Ithe front of the frame said clutches will be thrown into operative engagement automatically coupling the power plant with the axle driving mechanism, and that they will readily pull away or be disconnected when the power plant is removed. By this construction I provide a direct and rigid connection between the power shaftof the motor and the rear axle driving mechanism. Y

To connect and disconnect the motor 'from the power transmission mechanism when the power plant is locked inl position in the frame I provide a suitable clutch, shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as consisting of a multiple disk clutch 21 carried by the casing of the power transmission mechanism, said clutch being actuated by a foot pedal in the usual manner. It willalso be noted 4that the clutches 19, 2() serve as stops to limit the movement of the power plant into the frame.

To rigidly lock the power plant upon the tracks 18 I provide locking bars 22 pivotally connected at one end to studs or brackets 23 projecting up and fixed to the tracks 18, so that they will extend parallel with the tracks above the rollers 17. These-lockfirmly `on' the tracks 18, I provide levers 2,6'A

to each of which levers is connected a pair of links 27, 28. the links 27 being pivotally connected to the bars 22 near the yforward ends, as 'at 29, and the links 28 pivotally supported by brackets 30 fixed to the tracks 18, the said links 27, 28 acting in the nature of toggle joints. When the bar is in its locked position the levers 26 and links 27, 28 will assume the positions shown in full lines in Fig. 7. To release the locking bars the levers 26 are tthrown upward to 'the dotted line positions, throwing the bars 22 to the dotted line positions through the links 27, 28 thereby releasing the power plant. As a supplemental means to clamp and lock the bars in engagement with the rollersv 17 I provide levers 31 pivotally sup-n ported by brackets 32 fixed to the tracks 18, links 33 being pivotally connected at one end. to the levers, as atl 34, and rollers 35 pivotally connected to the free ends to engage with the tops of the bars 22, said rollers 35 having circumferential grooves in which the locking bars also engage. W hen the bars are in locked positions, said latter means will assume substantially the positions shown in full lines in Fig. 7 with the 1 in dotted lines.

In the present construction I have shown a motor of the water cooleld type in which the lwater is cooled. by passing through a, suitable cooler or radiator. This radiator (designated in a general way by It,) is mounted at the front of the vehicle frame, and in order to permit of the ready removal of the power plant I' mount or hinge said radiator, as at 36, so .that it may be swung on one of its edges away from the front of the vehicle frame, as shown in Fig. 3. The cooler ywhen in position in front of the motor is releasably secured by a bolt 37 passing through a lug or projection 3S forming a part of the frame of the cooler and which may be so constructed as to have the appearance of a hinge to be symmetrical with the hinge 36. The bolt has screw threadedengagement with a lug 39 fixed to the end of the side member 11 within the channel portion. When in this position a pair of pins 40 projecting laterally from opposite sides of the coolerl engage over the levers 26 and prevent any accidental upward movement of the power plant.

sie

' of said levers with the consequent releasing The engine or motor is connected to the cooler by a pipe 4l to conduct the water from the cooler vto the engine and is returned to the cooler by a lpipe 42. l-lmvever, in order that the cooler may be quickly connected to and disconnected from the engine, I provide automa-tic couplings 43, 44'

lt'or said pipes with the cooler, which are in the nature of slip joints having` a suitable gasket to firmly engage with the-pipe to prevent leakage. The coupling 44 for the outlet pipe from the cooler is provided with valve mechanism to automatically shut olf the flow of water from the cooler when disconnected rom the engine and opened when maant connected thereto. Said valve mechanism comprises a seat or support for the stem of a valve 46, said support having a portion engaging in a member47 projecting from and fixed to the frame of the cooler and secured therein by a pin 48. A sleeve 49 has screw threaded engagement with said support 45 and to which sleeve the coupling 44 is connected, saidcoupling having a seat 50 in which the valve 46 is normally caused to seat by a spring 51. The sleeve 49 is connected to the cooler R by a pipe or conduit v52. The mounting of the valve support upon the pin 48 permits said support and.

the coupling to have a slight lateral movement to compensate for any angular position of the cooler relative to the inlet pipe of the engine as it is swung in front of the latter. j

In Fig. 5 I have shown means to support an engine 'starting crank 61 by the cooler, comprising a socket member 62 engaging in an aperture and secured to a downwardly projecting iange 63 of the cooler, the end of the crank being provided with a socket in which the projecting end of the motor shaft engages, said latter shaft having laterally projecting pins 64 to engage in notches in the end of the crank socket when said crank is utilized to start the motor. The crank is normally maintained in position with the notches out of engagement with the pins 64 by a spring 65.

In Fig. 6 l have shown a modification of the clutch mechanism between the motor and power transmitting mechanism units, consisting of a friction cone clutch, one member 53 of which is fixed to the power shaft of the motor and may serve as lthe dy wheel thereof, while the other member 54 is mounted on the primary shaft 55 of the -transmission mechanism to rotate therewith and have sliding movement thereon, the

.clutch member 54 normally maintained in frictional engagement with the member 53 by a spring 56 confined between said clutch member and a collar 57, and thrown-out of operative engagement by the usual foot pedal 58. In this construction to prevent axial movement of the 'motor and power transmission mechanism one relative to the other, the hub of the clutch member 53 is provided with a bevel recess or bearing 59 in which operatively engages a beveled i'oller bearing 60 fixed to the end of the shaft 55.

Assuming the power plant to position in the chassis frame asv shown 1n F ig. 1. Should it be desired to remove either the power transmitting mechanism unit or the motor unit, it isfonly necessary to release the bolt 37 whenthe cooler R may be swung away from the front of the motor,

' the' pipes 41, 42 readily pulling out from the couplings 43, 44, and as the pipe 41 is be in lockedpulled out the valve 46 will be seated by its spring 51 shutting off the fiow of water from lthe cooler. Phe levers 31 and 26, respectively, are then thrown upward to the dotted line position in Fig. 7 releasing the hars 22 when the power plant may be rolled out from the front of the vehicle frame.-

VVhen the power plant is again placed in position in the frame to lock the same therein it is only necessary to throw down the levers 26, 31,- the shafts of thel power plant being automatically alined with the Cardan shaft of the rear axle driving mechanism without any adjustment whatever. The cooler is now again swung in front of the motor and automatically coupled with the pipes 41, 42, the pipe 41 engaging with the valve 46 for the outlet of the cooler as it engages in its coupling 44` forcing it from its seat and maintaining it open against the tension of the spring 51.

Variations may be resorted to Within the sco e of my invention.

' j aving thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a motor vehicle, the combination with the chassis frame, of a .power plant supported by said frame.; and means to lock the power plant in position -in the frame, comprising a pair of clamping'bars pivotally connected at one end to and extending parallel with the frame, and lever mechanism connected to the frame and having a toggle joint connection with the bars to draw and firmly lock the power plant in the frame. l

y 2. 1n. a motor vehicle, the combination with the chassis frame, of a supplemental frame comprising a pair of tracks fixed to and extendingfparallel with the side members of `the frame; a power plant comprising separately and independently removable motor and power transmission mechanism units; rollers rotatably mounted on studs projecting laterally from the motor frame and transmission casing whereby the power plant is supported upon the tracks;4 and means to lock the rollers on the tracks and thereby the power plant in position in the frame, comprising a pair of. clamping bars pivoted at one end to extend parallel with the tracks above the rollers, and lever mechanism to draw and firmly lock the bars upon the rollers.

3. In a motor vehicle, the combination with the chassis frame, of a supplemental frame comprising a pair of tracks 'fixed to `and extending parallel with the side mem- ,frame and transmission casing whereby the power plant is supported upon the tracks;

mechanism to draw and firmly lock the bars upon the rollers; said bars having circular recesses and the forward ends curved downwardly, and said recesses and curved ends adapted vto engage with the rollers to prel vent axial movement of the power plant.y

4. In a motor vehicle, the combination with the chassis frame, of a supplemental frame comprising a. pair of tracks fixed to and extending parallel with the side memconnected to said links and to brackets fixed to the tracks whereby lto clamp and lock the bars down upon the rollers to maintain them upon the tracks and thereby the power plant in position in the frame.

5. In a motor vehicle, the combination iwith the chassis frame, of a supplemental frame comprising a pair of tracks fixed to and extending parallel with the side members of the frame; a power plant comprising separately and independently removable motor and power transmission mechanism units; rollers rotatably mounted on studs projecting laterally from-the motor frameand transmission casing whereby the power plant is supported upon the tracks; a air of clamping bars pivotally supporte one end to extend parallel with the tracks above the rollers; a link pivotally connected to each of said bars; levers pivotally connected to said links and to brackets fixed to the tracks; a second lever for each of the bars pivotally connected to brackets fixed to the tracks; links connected to said levers; and rollers rotatably carried by the links to engage with the tops of the bars, whereby to clamp and .lock the bars down uponl the rollers and maintain them upon. the tracks and thereby the power plant in position in ing separately and independently removable' motor and power transmission mechanism units supported upon the tracks; and clamping bars extending parallel with and above the tracks to engage over and lock the power plant onto the tracks and therebyy inl the frame.

7. In a motor vehicle, the combination with the chassis frame, of a supplemental frame comprising a pair of tracks fixed to and extending parallel with the side members of the frame; a power plant comprising separately and independently removable motor and power transmission mechanism units; rollers rotatably mounted on studs projecting laterally from the motor frame and transmission easing whereby the \power plant is supported upon the tracks; clamping bars engaging over the rollers; and

levers pivoted to brackets fixed to thel tracks` ling parallel with the side members of the frame with an angle portion thereof projecting upward; a power plant comprising independent and separately removable motor and power transmission mechanism units; rollers rotatably connected to said power plant to engage with and whereby the power plant is supported upon the tracks, said rollers having grooves in which the upward projecting portion of the tracks engage; clamping bars pivotally connected at one end to brackets fixed tothe tracks, said bars extending parallel with the tracks above the rollers'and adapted to engage in the roller grooves;| and means to clamp said bars down upon the rollers to maintain them upon the tracks and thereby the power plant in position in the frame.

9. In a motor vehicle, the combination with the chassis frame, of a pair of tracks comprising angle iron fixed to and extending parallel with the side 'members of the frame with an angle portion thereof projecting upward; a power plant comprising independent and separately removable motor and power transmission "mechanism umts: rollers rotatably connected to saldV power plant to engage with and whereby the power plant is supported upon the tracks, said rollers haring grooves in which.

the upwardprojecting portion of the tracks engage; clamping hars pivotally connected at one end to brackets fixed to the tracks, said bars-extending parallel with the tracks above the rollers and adapted to engage in the-roller grooves; and means to clamp said bars down upon the rollers to maintain them upon the tracks and thereby the power plant inrposition in the frame, comprising a link pivotally connected to eachof the 'tracks near the forward ends, and levers pivotally with l' the chassis 1f comprising angleii'onffixedfto and 'extend- 10.k In motor` `v'fchic'ilm [the combination rame, of aY pair-bf tracks.

ing parallel Ywith tbesidemembers of the fr amewith ,any ,portion tlieiiegyfffl'ird-Q j ecting up arrilf; a power v plant cou'iprising independent andA separately', frem'ov'able motor l and pcvfrer, v,transinissiim' mechanism units;- ,rollers 'rotatably ',connected l,to .said

y povweriplant g to sfngagefk with and whereby at one Vend t, brackets fixed lto the tracks,

saidl bars extending parallel with tlfie tracks above they.; rollers 'and adapted fto engage. in 'the roller grooves .and means to clamp said barsv dovn upontlie rollerstomaintain them v i upon the tracks aiidtlie'rebyltl ejpowerfplalnt comp lising a'link pivotally. co inectedf'to "eachfo Vthe" 5 Itracks near the'lforward .iids,llev`er's '1 Iliectedr tosaid l.linl'sv and lto lV the tracks, a .supplemental locking leverf'or each .of saidlbars pivotally"supported brackets fi.' I d tol the ftracks,fl inks` connect l to f said y levers, fand rollers lcai'i-ied-{byf said links toengag'e over the'topsof tliebars;

11. In Va motor vehicle` the'coiiibination with the .chassis frameg'of f pair offtracks xed to and extending parallel with tlieside members of the franieghia quiclriremovable power plant adapted to beplacedinto position in and reinoved'from ythe-front of the frame and supported on said tracks; and clamping hars extending parallel with and infpositionV ii if .the frame,

above the tracks to engage with and lock the power plant.

12. In a motor vehicle, with the chassis frame. of a pair of tracks fixed to` and extending parallel with the side members of the frame a quick removable power plant adapted to be placed into posltion in and removed from the front of the frame and supported on said tracks; clamping bars extending parallel with and above the tracks to engage with and lock the powe: plant upon the tracks;'and leversconnected to said bars opcable to cause the bars to engage with the power plant and to release the bars therefrom.

13. In a motor vehicle, the combination lwith the chassis frame supported upon a pair of wheel axles, one of said axles having driving mechanism connected thereto, of a air of tracks fixed to and extending parallel with the side members of the v frame; a power transmission mechanism supported upon the tracks; a jaw clutch be tween the driven shaft of said mechanism and the axle drivin mechanism; a motor supported upon sai tracks in position in the combination A frontf of theftransniis'sin mechanism "said transmission mechanism .andVv motory adapted to*4 IbeV placed* in'fposition 7 in and removed fromi the 'y front jof the frame; a. jaw clutchl between "said motor and power transmis sion mechanism; a second' clutch between said motor" and power' transmission mechani sm 'whereby to connect and ldi sconnect the thir'o'u gli fthe lpowerf transmission mechanism at.' willi; and qi'lick releasable vmeans to en? gage" ci` ei fandmaintain the transmission mechanism andi-motor 'inpositioir on the `l`114.,v af' motor. vehicle, the l combinationy with the D'chassis frame' supported upon 'al 'pair of'wheel axles, oneof said axl'cshaving vdriving' v-i'r'ieclnmism connected thereto, of pair oftracks fixed to'andtextending paralleli` with the -'side '.memb'ers'fioftlie frame ;lv a Vfpowei' transmission mechanism supp'ortedupon the tracks; a-jaw clutch between'the?drivenfshaft of said mechanism and the axle driving mechanism ;f la motor supported lupon""`s"aid tracks in` position in front ofithe :t'r'.ansmissionvmechanismi;v said transmission ine'chfaiiismV 'and motora'dapted'- to befplac'ed infp'osfition in and removed; from the front-of'theframe;` "a jawfJ-clutch between Isaid motor a,and power *transmission mechanism; a second? clutch-"between said i motor *and l' power transmission mechanism whereby-`v` to-connect and disconnect `the mof tor-l f with the" 1 axle driving mechanism; through'the'l powertransmission nriechanismv at? will ,v fandclampingf lbars -extendingl par-y allel withwthe tracks to. engage re-over and lock thel motor and power transmission mechanism in position upon the tracks.

15. In a motor vehicle, the combination with the chassis frame, of a power plant comprising a power transmission mechanism and a water cooled engine to occupy a position in front of the transmission mechanism, said power plant adapted to be placed in position in and removed from the front of said frame; a pair of releasable clamping bars extending parallel with and adapted to engage over the power plant to maintain it in position in the frame and a water cooler mounted upon the frame in front of the engine whereby it may be swung upon one of its edges away from and into position in front of the motor.

16. In a motor vehicle, the combination with the chassis frame, of a power plant comprising a power transmission mechanism and a water cooled engine to occupy a position in front of the transmission mechanism, said power plant adapted to be placed in position in and removed from the front of'said frame; a pair of releasable clamping'bars extending parallel with and adapted to engage over the power plant to maintain it in position in the frame; a water soy ioo

cooler mounted upon the frame in front of the engine whereby it may` be swung upon one of its edges away from and into position in front of the motor; and means to lock the cooler in position in front of the i engine.

17. In a motor vehicle, the combination with the chassis `frame, of a power plant comprising a power transmission mechaniemand a water cooled engine to occupy a position in front of the transmission mechanism, said power plant adapted to be placed in position in and removed from me front of said fraine; a pair of releasable clamping bars extending parallel with and adapted to engage over the power plant to maintain it in position in the frame; a water cooler mounted upon the frame in front of the engine whereby it may be swung upon one of its edges away from and into position in front of the motor; means to lockthe cooler in position in front of the engine;

pipes leading to and from the engine and water cooler; and couplings in said pipes whereby as the cooleris swung away from the front of the engine the pipes are automatically disconnected from the coolerand are automatically coupled when swung into position in front of the engine.

18. In a motor vehicle, the combination with the chassis frame, of a power plant comprising a power transmission mechanism and a water cooled engine to occupy a position in front of the transmission mechanism, said power plant ada ted to be placed in position in and remove from the front of said frame; a water cooler mounted upon the frame in front of the en 'ne whereby it may -be swung upon one o its edges away fromand into position in front of the engine;means to lock the cooler in position in front of the engine; pipes lead' ing to and from the engine andA water cooler; couplings in said pipes whereby as the cooler is swung away from in frontv of the engine the pipes are automatically disconnected from the cooler and areautomatr' cally coupled when swung into position in front of the en ine; and a valve connected to the outlet ot the cooler which is automatically closed as the cooler is swung away from the engine and opened when swung cof tracks comprising a pair of clamping bars pivotally connected at one end to and extending parallel with the tracks, and lever mechanism connected to the tracks and having a toggle joint connection with the bars to draw and firmly. lock the power plant upon the tracks.

WILLARD IRVING frwoMnv.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR J. BENDIX, PAULA PHILrPP. 

